Ridgewood Town

Chapter 10

Ana

July 24

Wednesday, 9:34

"I don't know what to post anymore, Coover," I complained as I sank in deeper on his soft bed. His sheets smell like geranium; both a sweet and earthy scent. The scent calmed my nerves and I wanted to breathe it all in.

I looked at Coover who was busy typing something on his laptop. He was at his study table and didn't bother to look at me when he replied.

"What do you even gain by posting those rumors, Ana?" He took a sip from his tea, his eyes still trained on his computer screen. He continued typing as I watched his every move. "You're my friend, but I won't tolerate your acts. You have been in prison for prying into people's privacy. You should learn from your mistakes."

"It's not like I've done a heavy crime. Come on, Coover. Stop nagging like my dad. You know I'm so fed up now," I annoyingly said while I got up from his bed. I decided to sit instead of lying on his soft bed. I might take a nap because of how soft and inviting his bed is.

"If continuous nagging annoys you, I hope it will make you stop posting those rumors too. You're lucky Jean didn't jump on you when you're taunting her," he reminded. Jeanette Garinder, I hate her.

My hand clenches on his sheets, feeling annoyed and wrong. "Don't bring that girl into our conversation, it always makes my blood boil."

"Yeah, right," he mumbled like he was telling me he doesn't care at all.

Silence follows. I could only hear the tapping on the keys and the music that was playing. Coover rarely talks that much. I don't know if it was because he wasn't used to it or he gets drained easily from socializing. We have been friends for a year now and his silence sometimes makes me feel alone and awkward. It doesn't coincide with my loudness. But I appreciate him. When everyone doubted me, he was the only one who stood up for me. And I can say, he keeps me sane when I'm about to go mad crazy. He was like a tall boulder, unfazed. And he is the type of person that is needed by someone who easily gets distracted like me.

I couldn't help but stare at him. Coover has this natural color of hair that is between orange and red. It looks soft to touch, but I've never really touched it. I never really had the guts to tousle his hair, even if I wanted to. With Coover's personality, he seems to distance himself from people he doesn't want to get associated with. And even if I asked for permission, I know he wouldn't like it. I was lucky I got to go in and out of his house already. I don't want to overstay my welcome.

If I were to be honest, I've liked him before. He was gentle, calm, collected, and kind. He was taller than me. That makes us look good when we stand side by side. I love it when he scrunches his button nose when he gets annoyed. He looks cute when he does that. And when he always takes care of me, I can't help my heart from beating fast.

And now it's happening again.

"Cat got your tongue?" His voice sounded melodious suddenly. I felt the heat suddenly rising up my cheeks. I can feel it burning!

"Huh?" I answered. My train of thoughts was suddenly thrown away from the very end of my mind.

"I said, you're quiet." I looked sideways when his eyes met mine suddenly. I heard him chuckle. "What the hell is wrong with you? You're acting weird."

I was about to answer when his phone rang. I saw his eyes flicker, a tiny smile appearing on his face. He grabbed his phone and walked out of the room.

I wonder who called. I recognized the same ringtone that always calls him, but I haven't had the chance to meet the person on the other end. I never saw the caller id, but it always seems like it makes Coover happy whenever that person calls.

What should I do now? Should I stay in his room or walk around the house?

I saw his computer open and I decided to walk and go check it out.

Nothing is new. He was typing some code and things I didn't know what to call. He told me he was playing and I guess this is fun for him.

I sigh.

How could he find a girlfriend if he continued locking himself in his room? Even when he's going out, he will always tag along with Peyton or with me. I never saw him go out on his own.

"What are you doing?" he suddenly asked behind me.

I was startled when he called and I unconsciously squeaked. He chuckled once again and shook his head.

"Did you do something wrong? You seem to be easily shaken today."

"Nothing," I answered defensively. "Just stop surprising me." I got back to sitting on his bed and pulled out my phone. I acted like I was busy with it and asked what was in my mind.

"Who called?" I asked. I was curious about who the person that could easily change his mood.

"A friend," he answered shortly.

"But I'm your only friend," I retorted. That's when another familiar face resurfaces on my mind. "Wait... was it Peyton?"

"No," he firmly answered. His voice sounds like, stop asking or you'll get killed kind of tone.

"So, it's Peyton," I said. He immediately looked at me and gave me a playful glare that I found cute. I chuckled at that movement.

"I told you it wasn't him," he insisted. He sounds like a kid defending his actions even when he is caught red-handed.

"Yeah, right," I answered back, ending the conversation.

"I told you it wasn't him," he insisted again.

"I know, okay? Chill dude." He sighed and went back to coding.

I was scrolling on my phone when Sophia's post came on my newsfeed. It was a picture of a pin. I saw it somewhere but I can't pinpoint where I had seen it.

"Hey, Coover. Do you remember this pin?" I asked and showed him my phone.

"Ain't that the WIC Company badge? I think everyone will get the badge when we become trainees for them."

"By the way, I'm curious about something," I started.

"What is it?"

"You know Sophia Chase, right? The only art major in class?"

"Yeah. She's one of Peyton's friends too."

"I saw her last night. Well, she's been my window neighbor for years, by the way. But we never really spoke. She's snucking out again. I almost gave her a heart attack when I called her." I stopped myself from laughing when I saw her surprised face that night. I thought she would gonna scream but she didn't. She was very calm when she met my eyes.

"At night?" he asked disbelievingly, "Wasn't she scared? Taylah has just died and her boyfriend is missing."

I nodded. "You know I could see her through my window, right? I saw her slide two flashlights into her bag. I am guessing she was out to meet someone. Maybe Luis really killed Taylah and Sophia is his accomplice-"

"Stop right there, Ana. Luis is still Peyton's friend. Peyton still believes that Luis is innocent. Besides, there is no evidence that he is pointing to Luis as the suspect. Hold your horses."

"And how about you? Do you believe he is innocent?" I asked.

"He's a suspect until proven guilty. I have great respect for Luis, everyone in town respects him too."

"You're right. I think Luis won't do such a thing either." I clapped my hands and stood up to stretch. "I'm heading home now. You, go get yourself a girlfriend, okay?" I grabbed my laptop and ran to the door. I heard him screaming and I was laughing my way out of the house.

"Dude!"

The road is busy yet again. It's still early for people to honk cars and shout at each other. It was a small town and the road was small too. People buy cars they know they can't even drive nor park properly. And now they are creating noise pollution.

I should walk home instead of waiting for a car that would stick me in traffic. My house wasn't that far. I guess I could burn some fat while I walk.

I was tired when I got home. I was about to head to bed when I caught a glance at my window neighbor, Sophia Chase. She was sketching something on her canvas. Maybe she's preparing to paint something again. I gathered up courage and greeted her. With the words I'd prepared to say, I got my tongue tangled up and just said words that'd come out.

"H-hey!" I shouted. "Hi, window neighbor."

Like last night, her eyes went wide but no screams came out.

When she recognizes me, she recognizes me and gives me a soft smile. She, too, leans on her window and waves her small hands.

"Hello, Ana. How are things going?" her voice was soft and cheerful, like she was just greeting a friend she knew.

"Well, kinda slow. I don't have anything to write now," I replied and awkwardly laughed a little.

"Oh. That must be hard."

" Yeah. I saw your painting something today." I pointed to her sketch on the canvas. They were only sketches that I couldn't make anything from.

"Yeah. I'm preparing something today." She answers as she looks back at her canvas. She gave me a small smile. "I wish I could've given my paintings to Taylah a little earlier too," her voice softened as her eyes suddenly looked sad.

"I'm sorry. Everyone's having a hard time with Taylah's death."

"Yeah."

"I'm sorry about last night too. I didn't mean to startle you. It wasn't my plan."

"It's okay. I wasn't easy to scare anyway."

"Figures," I shortly answered. Her eyes were clouded with confusion and I saw the need to explain myself.

"Well, when I called you last night, I only saw those emotions in your eyes but you never really made any noise. Just like what happened a while ago when I greeted you," I tried to explain.

"That's a keen observation you have there, Ana," she meekly answered.

"I know that you know the bad news about me but I really am curious. Where did you go last night?" I asked her, trying my luck.

"I've met with a friend." She smiled and before I could ask more she immediately shut me down. "I'm going back to painting now. Thank you, Ana."

With that, she turned her back and went out sketching once again.

Her eyes showed her emotions but her actions didn't. I had never met someone like her before. Who are you really, Sophia Chase? Are my deductions about you even right?